MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The family of an Italian ambassador detained in the Philippines on human trafficking and child abuse complaints has denied the accusations, calling the case “a big mistake.”

The parents and brother of Daniele Bosio, Italy’s suspended ambassador to Turkmenistan, said Tuesday that Bosio has a long history of helping disadvantaged children and did not abuse the three underage boys found with him at a resort in Laguna province south of Manila.

Philippine police arrested the vacationing diplomat on April 5 after being alerted by child rights activists who saw Bosio at the resort with the boys, aged 9 to 12. A police statement said the children told police the diplomat bathed and scrubbed their naked bodies.